Rotatable table



June 19, 1934. A. KELLER ROTATABLE TABLE Filed Feb. 15, 1933 Patented June 19, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROTATABLE TABLE v Adolph Keller, StrLouis, Mo. Application February 15, 1933, Serial No. 656,915 7 Claims. (01. 45-411 This invention relates to tables and refers particularly to that type which are rotatable and vertically adjustable. I

An object of the invention is the provision I of novel and simplified means for locking the table in adjusted position. Previously,'in tables of this general type it has been thepracticeto provide separate and distinct latching means for retaining the table in adjusted position, one

'10 means effecting the locking of the table against rotary movement, and the other means acting to preventvertical movement. In the present invention, I utilize a single latching means for retaining the table imadjusted position against both vertical and rotary movement; thus pro-.

viding a simple and compact construction which eliminates many objectionable features of the usual adjustable table. 1

.Another object is to provide a combination table top and -.removable tray arrangement, whereby the tray, after its use in such capacity, may be quickly applied to the table top and thereafter constitute this portion of the table, the co-relation between the two being such that 26 marring or :scratching of the top during the transfer of the tray toor fromthe same, is greatly minimized.

With these and other objects and advantages in mind, attention is directed to .the drawing,

' Figure 1 is an elevation of my invention with the removable tray supported in position upon the table top. 7

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the upper portion of the table, and

- Figure 3 is asection taken-on line 3-3 of Figure 2. 9

Referring specifically to the drawing,:the numeral 1'0 designates a table having legs 11, which support a vertically extending pedestal 12.; This pedestal is preferably hollow so as to provide a. central-longitudinal passage 13 adapted to receive a table top supporting post 14. The top is designated at 15 andas shown in Figures 1 p15 and -2 suitably supports a removable tray 16 which will be described in more detail hereinafterm 4 The table is of the type .whichmay be both rotated and vertically adjusted, that is, the top supporting post 14 is capable of longitudinal and rotary movement in the pedestal. One of the important features of the present invention is the provisionof a single means for locking the post against rotary and longitudinal movement. .16: One embodiment of. this featureis disclosed in the accompanying drawing, wherein the post 14 is provided with a plurality of, spaced annular grooves 17, each of which is in turn provided witha recessed portion 18. Each groove with the exception of the lowermost one, has its lower 0 wall 19 tapered or inclined as shown in Figure 2. The lower wall of the lowermost groove isperpendicular to the base of the groove similar to the upper wall of this and'the-other grooves.

Upon the upper end of the pedestal 12 is se-as cured a block 20 by means of screws 21, and While this block is preferably of cast metal, it may be'formed of any other suitable material. This block is provided with ahub 22 having a central openingregistering with the passage in the pedestal, the hub being formed with upper and lower sleeves 23 and 24 constituting guides for thepost 14 and the upper sleeve 23 also functions as a stop to limit the downward movement of the table top with respect to the block-20.

Referring to Figure 3, the hub is shown connectedto the outer wall of the block by a solid portion 25 and this portion is provided with an opening 26' extending entirely therethrough. A spring pressed plunger 2'1 is slidably mounted so in the opening 26, the spring 28 normally pressing the head 29 into the opening in. the hub. The outer end of the plunger projects beyond the block 20 and is retained in this position, by means of a handle 30,pivotally secured to the plunger by a pin 31. The portionof the handle adjacent its connection tothe plunger constitutes a head having spaced walls 32 receiving the-outer end of the plunger. Each wall is so;formed as to provide cam faces 33, 34 and 35, respectively, adapted to successively engage the outer wall of the block or, as specifically disclosed-in the drawing, the flange 36 of a screw plug 37. By moving the handle so that its cam faces engage the flange 36, the plunger is moved in the open ing 26 into and out of engagement with the post 14. I

InFigures 2 and 3, the cam face or faces 33 are shown engaging the flange 36 with the plunger in its extreme inner position projecting not only into onev of the grooves 1'7 ofthe post, but also into the recess 18 of said groove. In this position the post 14 and table top 15 are, locked against both rotary and longitudinal movement. If, however, it is desired to rotate the top in this adjusted position, the handle is moved about its pivot to bring the cam face i34into engagement withthe flange 36. This movement retracts the plunger from-therecess 18 to an intermediateposition where it stillengages in the groove 17, thus perno mitting rotary movement of the post and top but preventing vertical movement of the same. If it is desired to adjust the top, the handle is actuated to bring the cam surface into engagement with the flange 36, thus entirely retracting the plunger from the groove and out of contact with the post, whereby the latter may be moved with respect to the pedestal into any desired position of adjustment. That is to say, the post is raised or lowered to permit theplunger to register with another of the grooves whereby reverse movement of the handle will permit the plunger to enter the groove and lock the post against vertical movement. This position is the intermediate position with the cam face 34 engaging the flange 36. To again lock the post and top against rotarymovement, the handle is moved to presentthe cam face 33 to the flange 36, whereby the plunger is permitted to enter the recess 18 of the respectivegroove. If by any chance the recess and plunger are out of register, it is only necessary torotate the table top until the recess comes into alignment with the, plunger.

This construction provides a simple and com pact arrangement whereby the table may be easily and quickly adjusted. By reason of the inclined walls. 19 of the grooves the top may be raised, when the plunger is in its intermediateposition, without the necessity of moving the handleto retract the plunger to its extreme outer position. The lower wall of the lowest groove is notinclined in thismanner, as hereto described, so as to prevent accidental removal of the post from the pedestal.

The table top may be attached to the post 14 in any desired manner. In the drawing, I have disclosed the upper end of the post as having a tight fit in acentral recess formed in the block 38 secured to the undersurface of the top 15. To prevent the top from turning relative to the post, the latter is provided with atransverse opening in which is secured apin 39; The block 38- is provided with opposed recesses on opposite sides of the central opening for receiving the ends of the pin.

Referring to FigureZ, the table top is provided with a peripheral ridge 40 having a fiat upper surface 41. The removable tray 16 is provided with an annular groove 42 in its undersurface conforming to the ridge- 40 and provided with-a flat base 43 adapted to contact and restupon the. surface 41 when the tray is placed upon the table. The heightof the ridge is greater than the depth of the groove 42 so that when thetray is placed upon-the table the only point of contact between the-two will'be where the base 43 rests upon the surface 41. This construction prevents the table top from being scarred by the repeated use of the tray and at the same-time provides. sufiicient rigidity between the twoso that after the tray has been utilized as such, it may subsequently function safely as the table top. This combinationtray and table construction has many advantages and permits, for instance, the serving of food without the. objectionable featureof removing the food from the tray to the table and vice-versa.

It will-be observed that the tray is'also provided witha peripheral rim 44 extending above andbelow the adjacent upper and lower surfaces of the tray and constituting a grip or handle. for the same. Thelower extension of the rim is, in part; formed by. one of the walls of the groove 42 and in-thedrawing.theundersurface of the. rim terminates in substantially the same. plane as the undersurfaoe of the body portion of the tray. 1 do not, however, wish to limit myself to this specific arrangement as it is'readily apparent that the lower portion of the rim could be eX- tended somewhat below the undersurface of the tray without departing from the spirit of the invention.

While the table top and tray are preferably of circular formation, they could readily be con,- structedin other designs, the only requisite being that the ridge and groove coincide throughout.

It has heretofore been stated that the hub 22 is provided with upper and lower sleeves 23 and 24 constituting guides for the post 14. The upper sleeve 23 also functions as a stop to limit the downward movement of the table top with respect to the top of the block 20. That is, even in the lowermost position of adjustment of the top there will be; a space between the blocks 20 and 38. Thus, in adjusting the top, if the post should accidentally slip to its.lowermostposition, there is no possibility of theoperator pinchingioneor more of his fingers between-.the pedestaland table top.

While in the preferred form of my'inventionl provide. the block. 20 in. conjunctionhwith the plunger 27, it should befunderstood. that; the.: plunger couldreadily. be housedv directly inthe; top, portion of the pedestal. Furthermore, the. sleeve 24 could be extended to: the bottom ofthei. passagei13, or, if no block isused, a separate, tube. or sleevecould be inserted in thepassage-as a guide for the post.

Itis also to be understoodsthatthere areyarious. other modifications of my inventionwhich-are within the spirit and scope ofthe appended-claims,

I claim:

1. In an adjustable table, a hollowpedestaha postrotatably mountedin said pedestal. andsslidable vertically therein to adjust, ittadiiferent elevations, and a single latching. member-can ried by saidr pedestal and engageable with the. post forrotatably supporting the same in-itszdife ferent vertical adjustments, said latching' mems her being also engageable; with. the-post ineach, of said vertical adjustments to hold-:, the. pest rigid with the pedestal.

2. In an adjustable, table, a hollowpedestal, a table top supporting post rotatably, mounted said pedestal and slidable vertically theremitdada just itto different elevations, said post being provided with spaced annular grooveshaViR re: cesses, and a single latching member engag-cable with the grooves for .rotatably supportingathe post in its vertical adjustments,andfurtherengage able with the recessesforlocking the p st ;-rigid with the pedestal.

3. In, an adjustable table, ahollowped stal, a table top, supporting post rotatablymounteddn said pedestal and slidable vertically, therejnto adjust; it to different. elevatior m,,, said ,post, being provided with spaced annular grooves, defining horizontal supporting, shoulders with, recessesily; ing beyond said shoulders, and a, single, latching member engageable withgthe. shouldersfor ro-v tatably supporting the post in,its.vertical. ad,- justments and further engageable with there; oessesfor locking the post rigid with thefpedestal.

4. In an adjustable table, ahollowjpedestalt a table top supportingpost rotatably-.monnted in saidpedestal and slidable verticallyz'thereinjto adjust it to, different elevations, said postbeing provided with spaced .annular grooves having freicesses, and aspringpressed plungerengageable with the. grooves forrotatably supportingthe. post in its vertical adjustments and further engageable with the recesses for locking the post rigid with the pedestal.

5. In an adjustable table, a hollow pedestal, a table top supporting post rotatably mounted in said pedestal and slidable vertically therein to adjust it to different elevations, said post being provided with spaced annular grooves having recesses, a spring pressed plunger engageable with the grooves for rotatably supporting the post in its vertical adjustments and further engageable with the recesses for locking the post rigid with the pedestal, and a handle secured to the outer end of said plunger and provided with means for retaining said plunger in different retracted positions relative to said post.

6. In an adjustable table, a hollow pedestal, a table top supporting post rotatably mounted in said pedestaland slidable vertically therein to adjust it to different elevations, said post being provided with spaced annular grooves having recesses, a spring pressed plunger engageable with the grooves for rotatably' supporting the postiin its vertical adjustments and further engageable with the recesses for locking the post rigid with the pedestal, and a handle pivotally secured to the outer end of said plunger and provided with cam faces engageable with the outer wall of said pedestal for retaining said plunger in different retracted positions relative to said post.

7. In an adjustable table, a hollow pedestal, a

table top supporting post rotatably mounted in said pedestal and slidable vertically therein to adjust it to difierent elevations, said post being provided with spaced annular grooves having recesses, a block mounted upon the top of said pedestal and provided with a central opening registering with the opening in the pedestal, and a spring pressed plunger slidably mounted in said block and engageable with the grooves for rotatably supporting the post in its vertical adjustments and further engageable with the recesses for locking the post rigid with the pedestal.

ADOLPH KELLER. 

